White Sox Minor League Update: May 2, 2018

Charlotte Knights 6, Gwinnett Stripers 5

Jose Rondon (.292): 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB

Kevan Smith (.302): 2-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI ***MVP***

Patrick Leonard (.277): 2-for-4, HR (3), RBI

Juan Perez (.258): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 SB (7)

Todd Cunningham (.171): 1-for-3, 1 RBI

W: Matt Tomshaw (1-0, 8.10 ERA), 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

S: Jeanmar Gomez (1), 2 1/3 IP, 3 H

The Knights jumped all over Gwinnett early and often, plating five runs in the first two innings with DH Kevan Smith’s third home run of the season in the first inning quickly erasing the Stripers’ two first-inning runs. Patrick Leonard (playing first base) had a solo home run in the fifth inning that proved to be the game-winner. Overall, a solid day at the plate for Charlotte, who only struck out four times as a team. The early and frequent offense bailed out starter Matt Tomshaw, who gave up three runs in the first two innings and five earned runs in five innings of work. Reliever Jeanmar Gomez didn’t miss many bats in more than two innings of work for the save, but lowered his ERA to 1.17 in the process.

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Birmingham Barons 8, Tennessee Smokies 3

Zack Collins (.209): 1-for-4, HR (3), 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Eloy Jimenez (.250): 2-for-5, 1 R

Matt Rose (.292): 2-for-4, HR (6), 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB

Trey Michalczewski (.295): 3-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 1 BB

Jameson Fisher (.221): 2-for-5, 2B

Danny Mendick (.257): 1-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI

W: Dane Dunning (2-0, 2.25 ERA), 6 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K ***MVP***

The Barons put on a fireworks display worthy of the 4th of July in this one, belting four home runs. Matt Rose continued his hot streak with a two-run double to left field with two outs in the first for the game’s first runs, and later hit his sixth home run in the fifth inning. Over his last six games, Rose is hitting .526 (10-for-19) with 14 RBIs. Trey Michalczewski followed Rose by fouling off 10 pitches before drawing a walk on the 14th pitch of his at-bat, and would later hit his second home run of the season. Zack Collins stayed red-hot with his third home run of the season. An early lead allowed Dunning to settle in and dominate. He only allowed four hits, while striking out five in six innings of work to improve to 2-0 with Birmingham.

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Winston-Salem Dash 9, Lynchburg Hillcats 2

Joel Booker (.355): 3-for-5, 3B, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R ***MVP***

Alex Call (.233): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB

Luis Alexander Basabe (.314): 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 BB

Blake Rutherford (.333): 1-for-5, 3B, 4 RBI

Ti’Quan Forbes (.247): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R

Mitch Roman (.344): 3-for-4, 3 2B, 3 R

W: Luis Martinez (1-1, 4.84 ERA), 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Dash bats were the story again, with more hits (12) and as many runs scored (eight) as strikeouts. You know it’s a special day for the squad when DH Blake Rutherford’s four RBI aren’t enough to earn MVP honors — even on his 21st birthday. That accolade went to LF Joel Booker, whose three hits sent his average to .355 on the season. His trio of hits included a triple and two doubles, with three RBI and a pair of runs scored. The offensive explosion was plenty for starting pitcher Luis Martinez, who struck out six and allowed just two earned runs in five innings of work.

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Kannapolis Intimidators 9, Hickory Crawdads 6

Luis Gonzalez (.344): 3-for-4, 1 R, 1 BB

Craig Dedelow (.255): 3-for-5, 3B, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R ***MVP***

Michael Hickman (.257): 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI

Justin Yurchak (.232): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Evan Skoug (.169): 1-for-2, 2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB

W: Kade McClure (3-0, 3.18 ERA), 5 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Jose Nin (0.00 ERA), 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K

A massive night for the I’s at the plate, who pounded out 12 hits, plated nine runs and had as many walks (seven) as strikeouts. CF Luis Gonzalez had three hits for his third straight game and fourth in the last five to raise his batting average to .344 on the season. Gonzalez was on base four times ahead of LF Craig Dedlow, who also had three hits along with three RBI and three runs scored.